Method of reducing downward flow of air currents on the lee side of exterior structures

Abstract

A method of reducing the downward flow of air currents on the leeward side of an emissions emitting structure including the step of using a system that includes components chosen from the group consisting of one or more mechanical air moving devices; physical structures; and combinations thereof to create an increase in the air pressure within a volume of air on the leeward side of an emissions emitting structure having emissions that become airborne. The increased air pressure prevents or lessens downward flow of emissions that would occur without the use of the system and increases the safety by which one can travel a road or other transportation route that might otherwise be visually obscured by the emissions and the safety of the property and those within the area where emissions occur.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of reducing a downward flow of air currents on the leeward side of an emissions emitting structure comprising the steps of:
 using a system that includes components chosen from the group consisting of one or more mechanical air moving devices; physical structures; and combinations thereof which create an increase in an air pressure within a volume of air proximate an exterior leeward wall surface of an emissions emitting structure having emissions that become airborne; wherein the increased air pressure equals or exceeds an air pressure above the structure; and wherein the increased air pressure prevents or lessens downward flow of emissions. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the system includes a plurality of fans and the fans are positioned at an angle to an exterior leeward wall surface of the emissions emitting structure. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the fans are positioned at an angle of up to 80 degrees from the exterior leeward wall surface of the emissions emitting structure. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the emissions comprise steam and wherein the increased air pressure equals or exceeds an air pressure above the structure. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the physical structures of the system includes at least one vertically oriented wall that is at least about 20% of the height of a tallest exterior wall on the leeward side of the emissions emitting structure. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the physical structures of the system includes at least one vertically oriented wall that is at least about 50% of the height of a tallest exterior wall on the leeward side of the emissions emitting structure. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the physical structures of the system includes at least one vertically oriented wall that is at least about 100% of the height of a tallest exterior wall on the leeward side of the emissions emitting structure. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical air moving devices of the system uses at least two industrial fans that each generate an airflow stream that are directed such that the airflow streams collide with one another to at least partially create the increased air pressure. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the physical structures of the system further includes a vertically oriented wall or substantially vertically oriented wall that is positioned parallel or substantially parallel to the leeward side of the emissions emitting structure. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the emissions comprise: steam, smoke, or combustion emissions. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the physical structures of the system includes at least two vertically oriented walls or substantially vertically oriented walls that are positioned at an angle to the leeward side of the emission emitting structure and configured to redirect wind received from a windward direction into at least two separate airflows that are directed toward one another along the leeward side of the emission emitting structure to form the increased air pressure that prevents or lessens downward flow of emissions. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least two vertically oriented walls or substantially vertically oriented walls have a first portion and a second portion that are at an obtuse angle to one another. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first portion of the at least two vertically oriented walls or substantially vertically oriented walls extends beyond the leeward side of the emission emitting structure and is longer than the second portion. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least two vertically oriented walls or substantially vertically oriented walls are at least about 20% of the height of a tallest exterior face on the leeward side of the emissions emitting structure. 
     
     
       15. A method of reducing a downward flow of air currents on a leeward side of an emissions emitting structure comprising the steps of:
 installing components outside and proximate the emissions emitting structure wherein the components are chosen from the group consisting of one or more industrial fans; one or more vertically or substantially vertically oriented walls that are at least 20% of the height of a tallest exterior wall on the leeward side of the emissions emitting structure; and 
 creating an increase in an air pressure within a volume of air proximate and along the tallest exterior wall on the leeward side of an emissions emitting structure using the components wherein the components cause at least two airflows to meet one another and create the increase in the air pressure that reduces the downward flow of air currents on the leeward side of the emissions emitting structure such that the air pressure within a volume of air proximate and along the tallest exterior wall on the leeward side of an emissions emitting structure equals or exceeds the air pressure immediately above the emission emitting structure. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the components include at least two vertically oriented walls or substantially vertically oriented walls that are positioned at an angle to the leeward side of the emission emitting structure and configured to redirect wind received from the windward direction into at least two separate airflows that are directed toward one another along the leeward side of the emission emitting structure to form the increased air pressure that prevents or lessens downward flow of emissions. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the emissions emitting structure is a factory or a power plant and wherein the air pressure within a volume of air proximate and along at least a location along the exterior wall on the leeward side of an emissions emitting structure equals or exceeds the air pressure above the emissions emitting structure. 
     
     
       18. A method of reducing a downward flow of air currents on a leeward side of an emissions generating building and preventing emissions from lessening or blocking the visibility of a motorist traveling a road near the building comprising the step of:
 creating an increased air pressure zone proximate the leeward side of the building by using at least one airflow creating system that includes components chosen from the group consisting of two or more mechanical air moving devices; physical airflow directing structures; and combinations thereof to create at least two airflows that meet along the leeward side of the emission generating building and increase the air pressure within the zone of air on the leeward side of an emissions generating building chosen from the group consisting of a factory having emissions that become airborne, a power plant having emissions that become airborne, and an industrial or commercial facility having emissions that become airborne; wherein the increased air pressure prevents or lessens downward flow of emissions that would occur without the use of the system and presents the emissions from lessening or blocking the visibility of the motorist traveling the road. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the system includes at least one vertically oriented wall that is at least about 100% of the height of a tallest exterior wall on the leeward side of the emissions emitting building and the emissions comprise steam or smoke or combustion emissions and the increased air pressure zone is an increased air pressure volume. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the road is up to about one-half mile away from the emissions generating building and the emissions lessen the visibility of a motorist on the road if the emissions are along the road.